Rupture Fightwear-sponsored Fighter Rex Richards to try out for TUF

Courtesy of MMAJUNKIE. I guess a 19-second first round KO will get someone's attention :).

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Not a single fighter on the UFC's current roster of heavyweights entered the organization through "The Ultimate Fighter."

While the Spike TV-televised competition reality series has launched the careers of more than 100 UFC fighters during its eight seasons on air, the show has failed to introduce any current top-level heavyweights to the organization.

That could soon change, though, now that former NFL player and MMA prospect Rex Richards (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has decided to try out for the upcoming 10th season of the show.

Mickey Dubberly, CEO of KO Dynasty, today told MMAJUNKIE that his 29-year-old client will head to the show's open tryouts, which take place April 6 in Seattle.

"The Ultimate Fighter 10" begins taping this summer and is tentatively scheduled for a September debut. Producers are inviting middleweights, light heavyweights and heavyweights to the tryout (though the show has never featured more than two weight classes in a season).

Richards, a former super heavyweight, recently dropped to heavyweight with the goal of joining the UFC's ranks. (That process was detailed in our recent "Fight Path" feature on Richards.)

"With Rex making the transition from super heavyweight to heavyweight, we feel it will be a good career move in making it in the UFC." Dubberly said. "With the weight cut to heavyweight, Rex is more explosive than ever. Not only does Rex have KO power, but he just earned his black belt in (Brazilian) jiu jitsu last week after eight years (of study)."

Richards, a decorated offensive lineman at Texas Tech, was a practice-squad member for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts in 2003, and he later played for the Arena Football League's San Jose SaberCats. However, he took up jiu jitsu during his playing days, and the lure of MMA soon became too strong.

He made his MMA debut in November 2005 and has posted an 8-1 record since then. All eight victories have come via first-round stoppage, and his lone loss came to current undefeated UFC heavyweight contender Shane Carwin at a 2007 Art of War show.

"Rex wants to fight in the NFL of MMA, which is in the UFC," Dubberly said. "He also wants to avenge his only loss against Shane Carwin."

Richards isn't guaranteed a spot on the cast, but he's likely to be an early favorite. After all, the pool of top-level heavyweight prospects is thin, and most competitors end up dropping to light heavyweight anyway. Take for instance "The Ultimate Fighter 2," the last installment of "TUF" to feature the big guys. Show winner Rashad Evans and semifinalist Keith Jardine soon dropped to light heavyweight, and none of the other competitors, such as show runner-up Brad Imes and Dan Christison, is currently with the UFC.